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A crow flies away after making his delivery.
Did some artwork today. No walking the dog for me! Although I’m impressed with anyone in Kansas City who would go running or walking their dogs today!
#weloveourdogs #kansascity #kcdogs #originalart #fashionillustration #streetstyle #lifedrawing #mixedmedia #mixedmediaart #illustration #illustrator #dogs #dogwalker #terrier #jrt #citywalk #winterfashion #cosmolife #illustratedjournalism #peoplewatching
New Works
Still doing art and mom stuff. Little girl is getting big! She can make scribbles and do creative things now. Her favorite thing, to my chagrin, is playing on my iPad. She seems to be obsessed. If she sees anyone with a smart phone or iPad, she wants to commandeer it. Steve Jobs didn’t let his kids play with those things he developed. I think as long as it is limited, it’s okay. It’s a part of learning in the tech age. Kids gotta know how to operate these things and my little one, at 20 months has been doing a good job at navigating and playing toddler games and watching YouTube Kids. She also loves to play outside and pick flowers and be a little girl. Dandelions are her favorite. She also likes maple tree propellers.
Watch out, kitty cats. She wants to see you, too. Her big teddy bear is Floyd the dog. I look at photos of her last year and I see a totally different entity. That’s my daughter? When she was a baby, yes. Now she’s an actual toddler, doing all these things at such a quick rate, I can hardly believe it. To be an artist, in some ways, it’s been more difficult to get much work done. In other ways, it has pushed me to actually do it. My recent foray is writing. I actually wrote a review on Sennelier oil pastels. I have been looking into adding writing to my resume, so I now have a start. When I’m not trying, when I think no one is watching, I can write all over the place, with aplomb. On stage, like my blog for instance, I sort of freeze up. It is what it is.
Without further ado, and the reason I’m posting again, here are my newest works.
How to Manage the Love/Hate Relationship with Creativity
It has been tooooo long. TOOOOO long! (as my favorite character, Louise Belcher, might say.) I went from daily-painter-mama to freelance-worker-mama, not taking time to post on the blog for toooo long. Well, landing some freelance is all it took to put my painting on hiatus. I also just got back from vacation! An actual ‘get on the plane and go to the beach’ vacation. It was to celebrate baby’s first birthday.
And now I’m back – almost refreshed. Still recharging. Which leads me to this article, which leads me to returning to my blog in some way, even if it isn’t for art this time.
Today, I am re-blogging this very helpful article for the creatives out there, and you left-brained people. too. I hope it can help anyone searching for some insight.
Lawrence “Larry” McDoo, WWI Pigeon Spy
HitRECord is a collaborative web site for all those creatives out there. Check it out! It is the only entity of it’s kind, started by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Maybe you’ve seen Third Rock from the Sun. He’s the young fella in the show, only he’s all grown up and in his 30s now and has done several independent films. He came up with this huge idea where writers, artists, photographers and the list goes on, throw their hats in the ring on various collaborations for their television show. It’s so multi-layered I can’t even begin to describe it all in the few minutes I have right now. Just check out hitrecord.org! It is fascinating!
For my little contribution, I made a visual for “Dr. N’s Pigeon Spies”
Summer
Illustration Friday topic: Summer. I envisioned this. Couldn’t even resist.
Red Clovers Charging
The lawn needs to be mowed something fierce. For the past two weekends we’ve been rained out, which makes it really easy to put off mowing the lawn. But that’s okay. When my baby girl and I were outside getting some sunshine and fresh air, I found some red clover growing along the deck and picked a couple.
And so, as I was setting up for today’s painting, things were going pretty good with the painting, until Jack the cat decides he wants to have a seat. On my still life setting? Oh, how nice, you crazy cat. I suppose he improved everything, as my phone’s charger cord was placed on the clovers by his fluffy butt.
Paging Dr. Floyd Falafel
Paging Dr. Floyd Falafel! I have a theory on why you see – or at least I see – so many art pieces of birds. They are symbolic and hold special meaning for so many things, usually the human spirit. Today’s painting is of a special visitor, a purple finch, at the hospital window of a patient and his wife, who is my friend. She named her frequent and chatty visitor Dr. Floyd Falafel and today’s painting is for her and healing and the human spirit!
Temptation
This week has been a whirlwind of learning to crawl and stand, playing, eating a cornucopia of foods pureed and bite size, waking up every two hours in the middle of night to eat and play, and so on… Instead of painting during the day, while baby girl naps (yeah, when is that happening anymore), I’m either cleaning up or napping with her. So, anyway, without further ado, today is Thursday and the painting for today is actually for Illustration Friday! The topic, announced last Friday, where you have a week to create an illustration, is Temptation.
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I found this little beauty on Facebook, so Facebook strikes again in inspiring me to paint. It looks like one of my FB connections is on vacation in British Columbia, window-shopping perhaps, and took a photo of all these shoes that are so adorable. I may just paint more of these because I’m feelin’ like Andy Warhol!<>
Finch Bird Charm
What do you call a group of finches? Why, yes! A group of finches is called a charm and I think that’s really sweet. One of my good artist friends always had a couple of finches in a cage in his studio space. They have these rather unique chirps, sounds like wood creaking or something like that. They were cute little fellas and so a charm of finches sounds rather fitting.
This time, I painted with acrylics. Painting with them makes it much easier to work on a larger scale because the drying time is greatly reduced. I love painting with oils, but they do get muddy and take a while longer to dry. Each has their own positives and negatives but I believe oils have the advantage. They are sumptuous and romantic. Acrylics are immediate and fun. They are the cheap date of paints!
Gwen’s Lion
I wasn’t sure what to paint today. I took a few photos and decided on Jack, my Maine Coon kitty, who I think is very handsome. He is also Gwen’s Lion. He loves baby girl and it completely touches my heart. I’ve always been crazy about that cat, but ever since being pregnant and then ultimately having baby girl here, Jack the cat has been the most greatest cat ever and I’m even more crazy about him.
Caged Bird Singing
Different approach to painting today, in a few ways:
One: It was not during baby’s nap time, but after her nap, play and bath. I sat her in her chair, painted and played with her, both at the same time. Well, at least at first. Then I just let her cry herself to sleep. She didn’t love that I was not giving her my undivided attention, and that’s okay. She’s at the age where she needs to learn patience and that she isn’t the only cute baby girl in the world (smile.) It wasn’t forever, as I painted it pretty quickly.
Two: It is based on Maya Angelou’s passing, so it’s more of an illustration painting, rather than just a painting painting.
Three: It’s not in oil this time. This one is egg tempera, which I’ve used before, long ago in school. I like painting with egg temperas. I was starting it all out with oils, but then found hubby’s paints and used them instead. They are MY paints NOW! heeheeheee.
Rest in peace, Ms. Angelou. I know your soul is soaring now.
Red Tibetan Prayer Flag
I am doing a series of wind horses which are on Tibetan prayer flags. I started with blue, then white. Today’s red flag is third in line and is my painting of the day.
Illustration Friday
Every Friday is Illustration Friday, a little idea that began in 2003 and became pretty big not long after that. It is a community artist/illustrator blog started by super duper freelance illustrator, Penelope Dullaghan and she is now teamed up with some fantastic, fellow freelance illustrators who make it run today. Go there to check out the art and talk to other artists! Share your masterpieces! The team at Illustration Friday often feature and interview world class illustrators and it’s just a great site to learn all kinds of amazing things about the illustration world.
This week’s topic is “Universe” and is my painting for today. Since it’s an illustration it has turned out to be a touch different from my oil paintings I’ve been showing. In the future, I’d like to continue participating in IF and have my pieces go along more with my oil paintings.
After Four Days?
Yes, it’s been four days since I last posted. I had another project that needed my undivided attention, outside of taking care of baby. Baby has been wearing me out more lately, btw. She’s teething. She’s growing mentally and physically really fast I can’t take it! She’s going to be walking soon. She’ll be nine months old in a couple days and yet it seems like yesterday sometimes that she was this mushy, squishy, sleeping, milk-drinking, non-focusing infant. Now she’s exhibiting toddler-like qualities. She’s a smart and strong baby and I think she’s quite cute, even with the screaming at the top of her lungs, because she can. We shared fresh, sugar baby watermelon today.
Floyd, day 15
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, which is not really how I went about this piece today. I played around and made a mess during little baby girl’s nap, then got all tangled up in thoughts and paint and paper. When baby woke up, that was the best excuse to step away from it for a few hours. Then, after those few hours, we went on the family dog walk – Me and Joonbug, Dada with baby strapped to Dada in her Baby Bjorn and Floyd the dog on leash. Today’s work is a moment in time, featuring Mr. Floyd the Dog, our big bear puppy.
But not before I watched this video, which features Elizabeth Murray. She said a lot of things that resonated with me, which helps express my feelings on painting much of the time.
Vintage Industrial Office Chair, days 12 -13
Another bump in the road, if you will. This time, I painted yesterday’s (day 12) painting, and went on to bed because I was beaten to a pulp. And then, the next day – today – during little girl baby’s nap, I decided I needed to go ahead and keep on painting and marking on it. Then I wiped some off, painted over some spots. Wiped some of it off again, then finally decided to let it be. Here it is!
Oh, I could go on about my thoughts on this process that’s been going on for almost two weeks now. Sometimes I’m super into it, and the feelings ebb and flow and wane and sometimes I figure I should just drop it. But, nah. I’ll keep going.
Poblano Pepper, day 11
We made stuffed peppers for dinner, but before doing that, I painted a pablano (say it 10x) real quick on a spice packet!
Hurray!
Dorothy’s Poppies for day 10
Egads, I missed my painting-a-day (PAD) yesterday. It was my very first of many, many, many, many times 50 Mother’s Days, after all.
But just because I didn’t post doesn’t mean I did not paint! I did! Anyway, this is actually more me – it’s even a continuation of the series I’ve been working on outside of (PAD). I’d started this series by using oil pastels to paint onto printed material. I believe I will incorporate this mode (using paint instead of oil pastels) into my new painting a day way of life. That’s what I’m thinking…
Dorothy’s Poppies, day 9
Today was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. To celebrate my very first Mother’s Day weekend, my husband and I, along with our eight and a half month old baby girl in stroller, went for a long walk to Pizza 51. We each had a slice and shared a pitcher of ale, except for baby, of course. She had a bottle of milk and a sippy cup of water she chewed on. On the walk back, we took pictures of a neighbor’s poppy spread. I know of these poppies. They come up every year and I had always wanted to photograph them. I finally did this year so I could have inspiration for my painting today.
Last Call For Alcohol
Alright, then. I’m back. After a blog hiatus. But, it’s for a fairly good reason, as my life has gone through a major flip; a milestone type of thing. I go from Life in 140 Characters to something different. Just a little bit, to put it mildly. It is more personal and I’m going to try and blog about it, while keeping this my art blog. It’s just that it’s now coming from a different angle; a more specific, personal inspiration.
So, last I was here, I was making drawings and paintings and showing them. I had two shows on April First Fridays in the Crossroads in my town. And, on that First Fridays afternoon, I was on site, where I’m having a couple paintings on display. I am helping to hang and put some things together for the big mobile truck where a few other local artists are showing. I’m bending and stooping and jumping and climbing. Through this, I’m wondering why I feel so odd and so worn out by the end of the day. I didn’t attend my own little show here or at the other locale where I had some art showing. Long story short, for weeks prior, I’d been having moments of suspicion and moments of clarity, but always managed to set it aside into the denial category. I am about 5 months pregnant! I don’t find out for sure until a week later, though. I was in denial through the morning sickness and missed cycles, etc. I chalked it up to stress and middle age. I am forty four years old and pregnant? What are the odds? They are remote, supposedly, yet here I am!
Currently, I’m in the third portion of this milestone. I’ve been getting my prenatal visits taken care of and everything is going very well. My husband and I saw her on the black and white screen and she is a dream to us. A lovely dream that has come true – since the shock has worn off, of course. That’s another reason I’ve been on hiatus! I’m getting everything ready for a little one, which includes making art! I am a bit overwhelmed! My husband and I both are anxiously awaiting and preparing for a big arrival. We are going to be parents! Later in life, but we are up for it.
And so, to conclude, I want to end this dramatic blog revelation with a bit of humor. This is Part 1 of Episode 5 of Kids in the Hall’s Death Comes to Town. It’s almost 11 minutes long, and, oh, say around exactly the 4:47 minute mark, until exactly the 6:47 minute mark (only two minutes!) It is the humorousness of this that kept running through my mind after I ‘found out.’
New Work
Detail of Urban Tribesman. This guy could be from my town, he could be from L.A. He could be from Liverpool or Toronto or places in-between. But I will guess he is probably from Newark.
God bless Larry the Cable Guy. This was posted to his Facebook page. It’s a manikin displaying a colorful swimsuit. What’s wrong with that? Nothing at all! It appeared this was set in a major, cost-cutting department store, by the camping equipment and sportswear.
I did not find this image. Someone else was shopping on Ebay, found this image and tweeted it. It’s a cute, little party dress up for bid. Is this the case of the accidental nudist taking a photo of her auction item? Or is it more accidental-on-purpose to get more attention and bids than the hundreds of other dresses in the online auction?
And this is Jack, in the studio, taking a snooze break from all of this art appreciation. I call him Art Cat. Ever since he was a wee lad, he absolutely loves to hang out with you while you make paintings and drawings. His two roommate kitties don’t give a crap about you and your art. They are prissy, girl cats. Jack the Art Cat is the primo, Maine Coon, artist, bohemian, studly kitty cat and he is on Twitter @the_art_cat. He’s your typical lazy bones and only tweets when he’s not chillin’ about.
My Sketchbook is going out in the mail today!
Well, here it is – my completed book. I created it in slideshow form especially for you.
This unique book has paint. It has ink from quills and felt tips. It has a little sewing. There are animals. There are people. Santa is in there. This sketchbook is a virtual cornucopia of media and it’s going on tour soon – this March!
More Sketchbook and Welcome 2013
The other evening, I did some drawing for my Sketchbook while watching several episodes of Freaks and Geeks. I love that show. But anyway, above is from a photo I found on social media. It is part of my Life in 140 Characters theme.
Following Foosball Guys, I drew Reindeer Girl. I am fascinated by the Reindeer People and have been reading about their culture, which, very sadly, is in danger of becoming extinct.
I happenstanced on this photo on Facebook and collected it for my ongoing series.
One of these days, I will make it back to the studio to do more paintings. Currently, though, I’ve taken on a freelance project that is totally kicking my butt, so I’ve really only had time to watch Freaks and Geeks and draw in my Sketchbook.
And, tonight is New Years Eve. We, (my handsome man and I) will celebrate finishing the major haul of my freelance project by enjoying the snow outside and drinking sparkly wine, maybe a bit of absinthe, and eating fun party foods I remember from my childhood, such as pizza rolls and such. Terrrible, but soooo bad it’s pretty good. It’s okay, just this one time. Happy New Year’s Eve to everyone out there! World Peace! May the new year be the best yet!
From my Sketchbook Project sketchbook – Lonely Little Bird detail.
Got this image from an Instagram shot of an exhibit of dead animals in ‘natural’ positions and actions, encased in glass boxes. That’s why I like to call this one “Sealed.”
More from the Sketchbook
The things we do to our dogs during the holiday season. I found the inspiration for this on Instagram. It’s part of my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project 2013. It started out as a blind contour drawing, which can be detected in the background, and then I went over that with quill pen and ink and colored in the nose. Simple as that! I think it’s funny.
…another entry into my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project. I came up with the idea to create some paper art upon waking up one morning. This sketchbook is my oyster and I’ll go ahead and create whatever my muse is at any given time.
The Fall of Orion, 2012
This is a piece that also started Life in 140 Characters. It’s a precursor, I would say. A friend of mine posted a few photos of a buck he bagged on a hunting trip a few months ago. There was something about the downed deer that caught my imagination. It has symbolic meaning – more than just my buddy’s hunting photo. Out of curiosity, I looked to see if there was any symbolism to hunted deer, and came across the article “India and the Constellation Orion Myths,” by Paul Heckert. I found the story rather fascinating. It’s an ancient Hindu myth about Prajapati, which parallels the Greek myth of the constellation Orion, who fell in love with his daughter, the sky. In the Hindu myth, the sky, or Dawn, took the form of a doe. To capture his love, Orion becomes a stag to seduce her. The other gods weren’t happy with this relationship and they created a deity to shoot and kill the buck. So twisted and tragically romantic.
A Peak Into My Sketchbook
My artist friends have the best Facebook posts. Terry is a man I met last year through another good artist friend from school. I think his main media is film and I also happen to think he has a great sense of humor as demonstrated by his ‘nativity’ scene he posted.
I like to call the sketch for this “Merry X-mas.”
Then there is my friend, Stéphanie from France, who I went to art school with down in Savannah, Georgia. We kept in touch for little while after graduation, when she moved to Paris and I came back to Missouri. Then, she disappeared for several years. Thanks to the miracle of Facebook, we are back in contact! I love hearing how she’s doing and chatting with her from time to time.
She ‘liked’ a photo of a tattooed woman that I found to be quite striking. The lines on her body integrate beautifully with the lines drawn into her skin. We ladies are warned not to get tattoos because they are permanent and when we get older, the tattoo will look less than desirable. Whatever! This woman is on the other side of middle age and she and her tattoos are pure beauty. She is a work of art and I had to draw her. In the near future, I plan to do a giant painting.
This is the piece that started my series of Life in 140 Characters and she now has a face. I don’t want this to be a portrait. It doesn’t look like the person in the photograph for a reason–because this is something I am making into my own interpretation. It’s a social media posting I’ve turned into art. It’s a magical thing.
Life in 140 Characters – so it begins
I’ve been goofing off with social media for the last couple years – tweeting, favoriting, liking, sharing funny videos and the social media list goes on. Before that, I had sworn I would never even start a Facebook account, but that’s where it began – being inspired by photos posted on my Facebook friends’ pages! I am fascinated by looking into the many windows to the souls of my Facebook friends. Some I know personally, and some I don’t, since they are either friends of friends or accounts of various businesses and personalities I am familiar with. There were two images that initally caught my interest in painting. One was a photo of two drag queens, so full of color and evocative of a lot of feelings, mostly fun and humor. Similar was the second image of a husband and wife couple dressed for a period party. The lady was in a puffy, Victorian style dress, with parisol and her hubby was in a Civil War military uniform. They were posing in their 1970s Rambler living room. I don’t know if I even have those images saved anywhere in my archives, but I do remember them and have been saving photos posted by me and other people around the world onto Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler and Instagram.
I probably won’t put all of them to canvas or board. Only my favorites. Such as this one, currently in progress. I’ve come up with a title before starting this piece. “Dainty.” My friend, from art school, who’s last name I am using as the title, posted a photo of her daughter trying on a bright blue pair of 5 inch heels at a certain department store. The image and title mean many things that I want to convey. The painting isn’t complete, but soon will be and my goal is to endear it to the viewer in the same way it has to me. I like this one, it’s fun and light hearted, while at the same time bringing back memories from when I was becoming, (GASP!) a woman! Not an easy feat, NO!
Painted Stars 